Locking Bar Eglu Classic

[Biker Betty]

Hello all

 

I have a poorly girl today - she was fine yesterday evening - running around as usual but when I let her out this morning, she didn't go for the food (very unlike her) and just sat in the corner of the coop.

 

She has a darker comb today, and has a bad case of the runs - it's like milk coming out of her. She won't eat anything - not even cucumber which is her particular favrouite treat. She is also very lethargic and dozing all the time.

 

I tried calling the ex-bat helpline but they couldn't offer too much advice except to take her to the vets. Unfortunately, my vet can't help a lot - they're willing but know little to nothing about chickens and I fear the only advice I will probably get is to put her to sleep. I have no chicken-specialist vets in the area either.

 

She has had a large lump on her abdomen (near her vent) for some time too - at first I thought it was an egg stuck but i am pretty sure she has laid since then. So I just assumed it was a bit of a swelling - she's had a touch of perotinitis in the past. It does feel enlarged and much harder today though - it's about the size of an egg and its firm but still pliable - like a big ball of plasticine or something.

 

Anyone got any advice?

 

She is in a cat basket at the moment, keeping warm, with plenty of water - which she is drinking a lot of.

 

I intend to get her some live yoghurt at lunchtime and at least try to get some food inside her maybe in the form of very sloppy weetabix.

 

Its the comb that concerns me the most though.

 

Thanks - Betty

[Biker Betty]

Oh and meant to say, she's been wormed in the past few weeks and there are no abnormalities with her vent or crop.

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear it. It sounds as if her peritonitis has returned, possibly because of a tumour?

 

I would get some veterinary attention for her if you can. She sounds as if home remedies will not be enough.

[Biker Betty]

Yes I think you're right - can Perotinitis form a harder lump as well? I've only ever known it to be really squidgey before.

 

I suspect a tumour to be honest but can't be sure.

 

I'll see how she gets on throughout the day - she's recovered from worse conditions before. If she's no better then I'll get her in to the vets tomorrow. My nice vet who does at least try with them is in then.

[Egluntyne]

More like the other way round in fact, a tumour causing symptoms of peritonitis, especially with regard to fluid build up in the abdomen.

[Biker Betty]

I'm sad to say that Lili didn't make it. She died last night despite my best efforts.

 

I know I shouldn't have favourites but I'd seen her through quite a few illnesses etc so we'd spent a lot of time together - and she was the friendliest of all my girls as she loved to be picked up and fussed - great to demonstrate the wonder of chickens to any visitors - especially the little ones.

 

She will be greatly missed.

[Pikey]

Sorry to hear about Lili. ......I was reading about her last night as my Cookie had similar symptoms. She was put to sleep today.

 

Lili sounds like a bit of a madam too!!

 

xxx

[Biker Betty]

Thanks Pikey - sorry to hear about Cookie. I wonder if it's the onslaught of the main egg-laying period that sets them off? This always seems to be the worst time of year for illnesses with my girls.

 

Bx

[Ain't Nobody Here]

So sorry to hear about poor Lili . It sounds like she was a very poorly girl .

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear it.

[Chicktastic]

Ah bless, Really sorry about Lili!!! xxx

[Biker Betty]

Thank you for your support - everyone at work things I'm mad for being upset over a chicken - its rare to find people who understand how attached you become to them isn't it?

 

Yes she was very poorly - but was happy and perky until almost the end - she only started being really ill yesterday - the day before that she was still wrestling the other girls for grapes etc....

 

Thank you once again.

 

Bx

[Chicktastic]

Oooh some people make me mad!!! There are people who have chickens............ and there are people who love the chickens they have!!! My sister has chickens, she doesn't seem to care when they get killed by the fox, and many do they are just there. The only good thing about their life is that they are very free range (whilever they live)

 

My ex was one of these people too and gave no support when we had to dispatch one of our old chooks. Happy to say though, my current partner very nicely sorted Poppy out when she died and then proceeded to hug me while I sobbed!!! Bless him!!

 

Bottom line is how can anyone not be upset over something they care for, be it a dog, hamster, rabbit or chicken, at the end of the day they are all part of the family and loved dearly!!!! Sorry rant over!

 

You can now all shut me up

[Biker Betty]

Well said chicktastic! I know what you mean. When I told somebody today that I have to bury her tonight, they asked me why I wouldn't just put her in the bin?!!!

 

There would be outrage if somebody did that to the family dog - so why not a different pet?

 

It makes me mad too.

 

Fortunately I do have some sympathetic friends - but very few who truly get it as I don't have any other friends who keep chickens. So the people on here always offer me the best support I could hope for - even if it is a virtual friend!

 

Still, as long as we keep doing good things for them, that's something at least isn't it?

 

Thank you

 

Bx

[pipistrelle]

So sorry to hear about Lili ((hugs))

 

P x

[Plum]

Sorry to hear about Cookie and Lili

[Pikey]

I wonder if it's the onslaught of the main egg-laying period that sets them off? This always seems to be the worst time of year for illnesses with my girls.

 

Bx

 

 

I'm wondering that too....as seems to be lots of people on here with similar problems as our girls.

 

Sorry you had such a bad time at work ......everyone is entitled to their own opinion but in this case they should keep to themselves and be supportive of you. Thankfully my collegues were lovely and we all had a good cry as they have a daily report of all my chickens and knew that Cookie was my favourite. Mind you the way I felt yesterday I think people would have been too scared to say anything like your work collegues did as I would have wiped the floor with them (that is putting it very diplomatically)

 

Hope you feel better today xxxxx

 

Chicktastic......you go girl Don't aplogise.....cos what you are saying is true.